New TE Drill

The article linked describes a drill that should greatly help the short passing game, increasing the TEs ability to catch short passes to thwart the blitz. VD needs this drill as this has been a weak part of his game--quick catches over the middle.

What are your thoughts about this drill and are there others you believe Harbaugh (all coaches) has (have) brought to the team that will help the team?

They need to implement something similar but with guys running and catching. Like a crossing route. Not just standing stationary. Maybe include a coach in a zebra shirt to double as a ref in the middle -- better put on a helmet though. Or do it in the end zone where it's usually crowded

Anything clever we can do to improve the reaction-time for these receivers gets a from me. Still think these receivers should do night-drills. Cut the lights down and throw them passes over the shoulder and away from their bodies. I want them to improve in tracking the ball's flight. If you can track those passes with a minimum of vision, then it will make your tracking ability improve greatly when it counts in the daytime/lights.

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
They need to implement something similar but with guys running and catching. Like a crossing route. Not just standing stationary. Maybe include a coach in a zebra shirt to double as a ref in the middle -- better put on a helmet though. Or do it in the end zone where it's usually crowded

C'mon...you don't think they have that next, once they master reaction times?

Originally posted by oldman9er:
Anything clever we can do to improve the reaction-time for these receivers gets a from me. Still think these receivers should do night-drills. Cut the lights down and throw them passes over the shoulder and away from their bodies. I want them to improve in tracking the ball's flight. If you can track those passes with a minimum of vision, then it will make your tracking ability improve greatly when it counts in the daytime/lights.

They should do it with blindfolds, and substitute footballs with poisonous arrows

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
They need to implement something similar but with guys running and catching. Like a crossing route. Not just standing stationary. Maybe include a coach in a zebra shirt to double as a ref in the middle -- better put on a helmet though. Or do it in the end zone where it's usually crowded

True, I think Harbaugh actually has a drill where they run behind a barrier and have to catch the ball with just a moment to adjust. I love these drills as the WRs and TEs need to improve sighting and adjusting to the ball in all areas of the field.

Oldman9er--love the idea of night practice! There were too many plays last year where the receiver did circles trying to locate the ball. I can recall two TDs that weren't due to this lack of tracking.

49erall--Not sure I go for the arrow idea. Perhaps they should have to catch a venomous snake if they drop a ball? That might help them focus.

They should have resistant bands around their elbows attached to a waist belt. Every time they put up their arms for a catch the band acts as a defender pulling on their arms while catching the ball....

Besides being difficult, the drill serves as a mini-competition for a position group that now includes defensive tackle Demarcus Dobbs working at a new position.

So far, Dobbs has impressed the 49ers tight ends with his natural athletic ability.

"I think he's doing a great job," Byham said. "He had a little bit of a learning curve the first few weeks, but he caught on really quickly and he's really becoming a dual-threat: a legitimate tight end as well as an established d-lineman.

Originally posted by Joecool:
Besides being difficult, the drill serves as a mini-competition for a position group that now includes defensive tackle Demarcus Dobbs working at a new position.

So far, Dobbs has impressed the 49ers tight ends with his natural athletic ability.

"I think he's doing a great job," Byham said. "He had a little bit of a learning curve the first few weeks, but he caught on really quickly and he's really becoming a dual-threat: a legitimate tight end as well as an established d-lineman.

I do see him in some jumbo packages but i dont see him catching anything unless we are up by a lot

Originally posted by Joecool:
Besides being difficult, the drill serves as a mini-competition for a position group that now includes defensive tackle Demarcus Dobbs working at a new position.

So far, Dobbs has impressed the 49ers tight ends with his natural athletic ability.

"I think he's doing a great job," Byham said. "He had a little bit of a learning curve the first few weeks, but he caught on really quickly and he's really becoming a dual-threat: a legitimate tight end as well as an established d-lineman.

I do see him in some jumbo packages but i dont see him catching anything unless we are up by a lot

This site is neither endorsed, nor sponsored by, nor affiliated with San Francisco 49ers or NFL Properties LLC. 49ers is a registered trademark of the San Francisco 49ers LLC. All teams and players mentioned are registered trademarks of the NFL and its respective teams. The use of any team names, words, trademarks, logos or photos have been used for descriptive purposes only. The content and information from other sites is the property of their respective owners. Player and team photos used with permission from USA TODAY Sports Images.